Page 5241 - Week 12 - Thursday, 28 October 2010
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Finally, an amendment is proposed to clarify that alcohol and drug-testing operations can be carried out at the same time.
The changes to the ACT’s drink-driving laws and the more recently passed drug-driving laws are substantial reforms to deal with impaired driving, and some of them are the most substantial since self-government. They will complement other components of the government’s road safety strategy such as broad public awareness of road safety risks, not just those caused by drink driving but also speed and inattention. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Hanson) adjourned to the next sitting.
First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2010
Ms Gallagher, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (10.29): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2010 makes three changes to the First Home Owner Grant Act 2000.
The first homeowner grant provides a $7,000 grant to first homebuyers to purchase their first home. Since the scheme was introduced in July 2000 it has paid over $187 million in grants, which has helped around 27,000 first homebuyers in the ACT achieve their dream of owning their own home. The grant, together with the ACT government’s housing affordability initiatives, are important measures providing assistance to homebuyers in the ACT in difficult times.
To qualify for the grant an applicant must meet certain conditions such as living in the property within 12 months for a continuous period of six months. The grant is paid to an applicant in anticipation of these conditions being met. If an applicant does not meet the conditions of the grant they are required to notify the ACT Revenue Office and repay this grant.
Currently, under the ACT First Home Owner Grant Act, when an applicant does not notify the Revenue Office and repay the grant they are not eligible to apply for a further grant. The amendment to the First Home Owner Grant Act will allow an applicant to be eligible to apply for a further grant if the original grant together with any penalties and interest has been repaid. An applicant is still required to meet the other eligibility criteria of the grant.
The second amendment inserts a provision that will deem an applicant ineligible to apply for a further grant if the applicant has previously been convicted of an offence
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